Selective article spacing apparatus for conveyers



H. E. TEMPLE April 29, 1952 SELECTIVE ARTICLE SPACING AEPARATUS FOR CONVEYERS Filed Jan. 25, 1951 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 H. E. TEMPLE SELECTIVE ARTICLE SPACING APPARATUS FOR CONVEYERS Filed Jan. 25, 1951 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTO'R. /f/RAM E. 7MP'L E April 29, 1952 H. E. TEMPLE 2,595,022

SELECTIVE ARTICLE SPACING APPARATUS FOR CONVEYERS Filed Jan. 25, 1951 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 April 29, 1952 H. E. TEMPLE 2,595,022

SELECTIVE ARTICLE SRACING APPARATUS FOR CONVEYERS Patented Apr. 29, 1952 SELECTIVE ARTICLE SPACIN G APPARATUS l FOR CONVEYERS Hiram E. Temple, San Gabriel, Calif., assignor to Read Standard Corporation, a corporation of Delaware Application January 25, 1951, Serial No. 207,772

The present invention relates in general to an apparatus for periodically transferring articles being transported by a conveyor onto another conveyor operating transversely ofthe first so as 'to load the articles being transported by the iirst conveyorionto the second conveyor in the form of ranks extending transversely thereof, a primary object of the invention being to provide an apparatus for spacing the articles apart predetermined distances in the direction of movement of the rst conveyor so that the articles will be spaced apart transversely of the second-conveyor when transferred thereonto.

The invention finds particular utility in the baking industry for spacing straps of pans containing bread or other goods to be baked in the direction of movement of a conveyor which delivers the pan straps to the inlet end of a traveling oven in single file and which operates at right angles to the traveling oven. The pan straps delivered to the inlet end of the oven in spaced relation in this manner are periodically loaded into the oven in the form of pan strap ranks extending transversely thereof. In such an application of the invention, the pan straps in each rank loaded into the traveling oven are spaced apart predetermined distances to prevent contact of the bakery-goods in adjacent straps in the rank and to provide uniform circulation of heated air for all of the pan straps. While the invention may be employed for spacing pan straps particularly advantageously and will be considered in connection therewith hereinafter as a matter of convenience, it will be understood that the invention may be employed for spacing various other articles as well. An important object of the invention is-to provide an article spacing apparatus which is provided with means for spacing apart articles of various lengths. More particularly, an object in this connection is to provide an article spacing apparatus having a plurality of spacing means each adapted to space apart articles of a particular length, and having selector means for activating any one of the spacing means.

Thus, the present invention may be employed for spacing pan straps of different sizes, the size of a pan strap depending upon the dimensions of the individual pans incorporated therein, the spacing of the individual pans in the strap, the number of pans in the strap, and so forth. For example, a strap of bread pans includes a plurality of pans arranged side by side in spaced relation and secured together by an encircling strap,

Claims. (Cl. 198-34) of the longitudinal axes ofthe individual pans depending upon the length of the pans, and the` dimension of the pan strap crosswise of. the individual pans depending upon the number of pans in th-e strap, the spacing of the pans, and so forth.

Considering the present invention more specifically, an important object thereof is to provide a conveyor for moving pan' straps in single le l along a predetermined path, a master stop positioned adjacent the downstream end of the path of the pan straps for intercepting the first pan strap in the file, and a sequence of slave stops spaced apart along the path of the pan straps upstream from the master stop for intercepting succeeding pan straps in the file.

More particularly. an important object of the invention is to provide such a spacing apparatus in which the first slave stop in the sequence is activated by the master stop upon interception of a pan strap by the master stop, the second slave stop in the sequence is activated by the first slave stop upon interception of a pan strap by the first slave stop, and so forth.

Another object is to provide such a spacing apparatus wherein the slave stops are normally disposed in inoperative, retracted positions and are movable into partially extended positions wherein they are operative to intercept pan straps upon interception of pan straps by the respective stops downstream therefrom, the respective slave stops being movable into their partially extended, operative positions in sequence as pan straps are intercepted by the adjacent stops downstream therefrom.

Another object is to provide a spacing apparatus wherein each slave stop is movable from its inoperative, retracted position to its operative, partially extended position in response to movement of the adjacent stop downstream therefrom from a partially extended, operative position to a fully extended position upon interception of a pan strap.

Thus, as the master stop intercepts a pan strap and is moved from its partially extended position to its fully extended position thereby, it' moves the rst slave stop in the sequencevfrom its inoperative, retracted position to its partially extended position. As the first slave stop in the sequence is moved from its partially extended position to its fully extended position by a pan strap intercepted thereby it moves the second slave stop in the sequence from its inoperative, ,retracted position to its partially` extended position, andso forth,

which is an importantffeature' of the inthe dimension of the pan strap in the direction 'vention Another important object of the invention is' to provide such a spacing apparatus with a plurality of sequences of slave stops each operatively connectible to the master stop for actuation thereby, and to provide such a spacing apparatus with selector means for operatively connecting any one of the slave-stop sequences to the master stop to render such slave-stop sequence operative. A related object is to provide such a spacing apparatus wherein the spacing of each slave-stop sequence from the master stop and the spacing of the individual slave stops of such sequence differ from the corresponding spacings for the other slave-stop sequences so that each of the slave-stop sequences may be employed to space apart articles of a different length under the control of the aforementioned selector means.

Another object is to provide a spacing apparatus wherein the slave stops of each sequence are interconnected by link means each of which moves one of the slave stops from its inoperative, retracted position to its partially extended position in response to movement of the slave stop downstream therefrom from its partially extended position to its fully extended position upon interception of a pan strap.

Another object is to provide a link means for the iirst slave stop in each sequence which is operatively conneotible to the master stop by the aforementioned selector means so as to render that particular slave-stop sequence operative.

Another object is to provide an apparatus which includes transfer means for transporting the pan straps or other articles spaced apart by the spacing apparatus laterally into a traveling oven, for example.

Another object is to provide means for operating the spacing apparatus and the transfer means in timed relation, the transfer means being controlled by the last slave stop in the particular slave-stop sequence in operation so that the transfer means transports the spaced pan straps laterally only after the master stop and each of the slave stops in the slave-stop sequence in operation have intercepted the pan straps.

The foregoing objects of the present invention and the ladvantages suggested thereby, together with various other objects and advantages which will become apparent, may be attained with the exemplary embodiments of the invention which are illustrated in detail in the accompanying drawings and which are described hereinafter. Referring to the drawings:

Fig. l is a side elevation of a spacing apparatus of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the spacing apparatus which is taken along the broken line 2-2 of Fig. l;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken along the broken line 3-3 of Fig. 1;

Figs. 4, 5 and 6 are enlarged, fragmentary elevationai views illustrating the operation of the spacing apparatus;

Fig. '1 is a further enlarged, fragmentary view taken as indicated by the arrow 1 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken along the broken line 8-8 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 9 is a schematic view of an electrical circuit of the spacing apparatus;

Fig. 10 is a view similar to Figs. 4, 5 and 6 but illustrating another embodiment of the invention; and,

Fig. 11 is a schematic view illustrating an electrical circuit of the embodiment of Fig. 10.

Referring particularly to Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings, 'the spacing apparatus of the invention illustrated therein includes a supporting structure or frame 2|. Carried by the frame 2| is a generally horizontal platform 22 along which pan straps or other articles to be spaced apart are transported in the direction of the arrow 23 by a conveyor or conveyor means 24. As best shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the conveyor 24 includes two spaced, parallel, endless conveyor elements 25. In the particular construction illustrated, each conveyor element 25 comprises a plurality of plates 26 respectively connected to the links of a chain 21. The chains 21 are trained around sprockets 28 at the upstream end of the path of the pan straps along the platform 22, and are trained around sprockets 29 at the downstream end of such path. The sprockets 28 are mounted on a shaft 30 carried by suitable bearings on the frame 2|, and the sprockets 29 are similarly mounted on a shaft 3| also carried by suitable bearings on the frame.

The conveyor 24 is driven by an electric motor 36 through a chain 31 trained around a sprocket 38 on the conveyor shaft 3| and a sprocket 39 on the motor shaft. The shaft 30 carries a sprocket 40 which drives a roller 4| at the upstream end of the pan strap through a, chain 42 trained around the sprocket 40 and around a sprocket 43 connected to the roller 4|. The purpose of the roller 4| is to bridge the gap between the conveyor 24 and another conveyor, not shown, which delivers pan straps to the conveyor 24.

Spaced apart along the path of the pan straps from the downstream end of such path toward the upstream end thereof are stops |0| to ||8, the stop |0| at the downstream end of the pan strap path being a master stop and the remainder being slave stops. It will be understood that while eighteen stops have been disclosed, this number may be decreased or increased as deired.

The stops |0| to ||8 are arranged in three groups in the particular construction illustrated, the first group comprising the stops |0 |04, |01, ||4 and ||1, the second group comprising the stops |0I, |03, |06, |09, ||2, ||5 and ||1, and the third group comprising the stops l0 |02, |05, |08, ||0, ||3, ||6 and ||8. Thus, the master stop |0| is common to the three groups, the first group comprising the master stop |0| and the sequence of slave stops |04, |01, I|4 and ||1, the second group comprising the master stop |0| and the sequence of slave stops |03, |06, |09, ||2, ||5 and ||1, and the third group comprising the master stop |0| and the sequence of slave stops |02, |05, |08, ||0, |13, ||6 and H8. The stops ofthe iirst group are spaced apart along the pan strap path substantially equal distances and are adapted to space pan straps of a predetermined maximum length, one such pan strap being indicated by the numeral |2| in Fig. l. Similarly, the stops of the second group are substantially uniformly spaced, but are closer together and are adapted to space apart pan straps of an intermediate length, such as the pan strap |22 illustrated in Fig. 1. Likewise, the stops of the third group are substantially uniformly spaced, but are still closer together and are adapted to space apart pan straps of a predetermined minimum length, one such pan strap being designated by the numeral |23 in Fig. 1.

As will be discussed in more detail hereinafter, any one of the aforementioned slave-stop sequences of the three groups of stops may be activated, depending upon the length of the pan straps lto be spaced apart. The spacing apparatus of the invention includes selector means |30 for activatingv any one of the slave-stop sequences, the selector means including a selector |3| for the slave-stop sequence of the first group'of stops, a selector |32 for the -slave-stop sequence of the second group of stops, and a selector |33 for the slave-stop sequence of the third group of stops.

Considering the stops |l| to ||8 in more detail with particular reference to Figs. 2 and 3, each of the stops is generally U-shaped and substantially spans the space petween the conveyor elements 25. The arms of each U-shaped stop extend downwardly through slots |31 in the platform 22 and are rotatably mounted on a shaft |38 carried by the frame 2|. AThe master stop |0| is rotatable about its shaft |38 from a rst operative or partially extended position, which is shown in Fig. 4, 'to a second operative or fully extended position, which is shown in Figs'.5 and 6. Each of the slave stops |02'to |3/is rotatable about its shaft |38 from an inoperative, retracted position through a rst operative, partially extended position to `a second operative, fully extended position, each of the slave stops being retracted into a recess |39 in the platform 22 when in its inoperative position For example, the inoperative position of the slave stop |04 is -illustrated in Fig. 4, the partially extended position thereof is illustratedl in Fig. 5 and the fully extended position thereof is illustrated in Fig. 6. As will be apparent, when all of the slave stops |02 to ||8 are in their retracted positions, they are inoperative to intercept pan straps being transported by the -conveyor 24 so that the first pan strap in a le being transported-by the conf veyor is intercepted by the master stop |0 I, which is movable only between the partially and fully extended positions discussed above.

Rigidly connected to each of the stops |0| to ||8 isa weight |40, the weight |40 connected to the master stop |0| biasing it toward its partially extended position and the weights connected to the slave stops |02 to ||8 biasing them-,toward their retracted positions. Also rigidly connected to each of the stops |0| to ||8 is an actuating arm |4|.

The spacing apparatus includes three series of actuating jmeans respectively corresponding to the groups of stops discussed above and respectively controlled by the selectors |3 |32 and |33, the actuating means of leach series serving to operatively interconnect the slave stopsof the corresponding slave-stop sequence and serving to operatively connect the first slave stop in such sequence to the master stop under the control of the corresponding selector. The three vseries of actuating means are substantially identical and only that series of actuating means associated with the master stop |0| and the slave-stop sequence |04, |01, ||4 and ||1 will be considered in detail herein. Also, all three selectors are substantially identical and only the selector |3|v associated with the master stop |0| and the slave-stop sequence-|04, |01, ||4 and ||1 will be considered herein in detail.

Referring particularly to Fig. 4the actuating means of the series associated with the slavestop sequence |04, |01, etc., are identified by the numerals |54, |51, 6| etc., each actuating means being connected to the actuating arm |4| ofthe corresponding slave stop by a lost-motion slave pivot means I1 The `iirst actuating means `|54 in the series under consideration is pivotally connectible to the actuating arm |4| of the master stop |0|, under the control of the selector |3| i by a lost-motion master pivot means |12.

Theactuating means |54 for the first slave stop in the slave-stop sequence |04, |01, etc., includes a link |14 which is connected at its downstream end, i. e., at the end thereof near-- est the downstream end of the path taken by' the pan straps transported by the conveyor 24, to an element |15 having a notch |16 in its lower surface which receives a pin |11 and which is elongated to provide a lost-motion connection between the element, |15 and the pin |11, this pin being carried by the actuating arm 4| of the master stop |0|. The Weight of the link |14 and the element |15 biases the element |15 downwardly into a position such that the pin |11 is disposed in the `notch |16 therein so as to connect the rst slave stop |04 in the slave-stop sequence |04, |01, etc., to the master stop. However, by moving the selector |3| for activating the salve-stopsequence |04, |01, etc., to an inoperative position, the element |15 is disengaged from the-pin |11 to render this slavestop sequence inoperative, as will be described in the following paragraph. I

The selector |3| is pivotally connected to the frame 2| at |80 and carries a pin |8| which engages a lever |82, the latter being pivotally connected to the frame at |83. The lever |82 carries a pin |84 which engages a stem |85 projecting from the element |15. The selector |3| is movable between an inoperative position, which is shown in broken lines, and an operative position, which is shown in solid lines. As will be apparent, when theselector |3| is moved from its inoperative, or broken` line, position to its operative position, it permits the weight of the link |14 and the element |15 with the stem` |85 thereon to rotate the lever |82 in the clockwise direction so as to engage the element |15 with the pin |11 on the actuating arm |4| of themaster stop |0|. Conversely, when the selector 3| is rotated into its inoperative. or broken line, position, it rotates the lever |82 in the counterclockwise direction soas-to disengage the element |15 from the pin, |11. As will be described in more detail in the following paragraphs, moving the selector |3| into its operative position activates the corresponding slave-stop sequence |04, |01, etc. In a similar manner, the selectors |32 and |33 activate the slave-stop sequences corresponding thereto so that the selectors |32 and |33 need not be described in detail. y

The upstream end'-of the link |14, i. e., the end thereof nearest the upstream end of the path of the pan straps transported by the conveyor 24, is connected to a yoke which carries a pin |9|, the latter extending through the actuating arm |4| of the first slave stop |04 in the slavestop sequence |04, |01, etc., so as to pivotally connect the yoke |90 to such actuating arm. Disposed between the arms of -the yoke |90 is an element |92 having a slot |93 therein for the pin |9| 4so as to provide a lost-motion connection, the element |92 being connected to the downstream end of a link |91 of the actuating means |51. The foregoing elements for pivotally interconnecting the links |14 and |91 and the actuating arm |4| of the slave stop |04 form one of the slave pivot means 1|. The upstream end of the link 91 is connected to the second slave stop |01 in the slave-stop sequence |04, |01, etc., and to a link 20| of the actu--l ating means |6| in the same manner by another of the slave pivot means |1| so that a further description herein is unnecessary.

Considering the operation of the spacing apparatus of the invention as thus far described, and referring particularly to Figs. 4 to 6, it will be recalled that the slave-stop sequence |04, |01, etc., is capable of spacing apart the pan straps |2| of a predetermined maximum length, a file of such pan straps being transported in the direction of the arrow 23 toward the master stop by the conveyor 24. Prior to the time that the first pan strap |2| in the file reaches the master stop |0|, the master stop is in its partially extended or rst operative position, as shown in Fig. 4, and the slave stops are all in their retracted, or inoperative, positions, also as shown in Fig. 4. Thus, the rst pan strap |2| in the file passes over all of the slave stops.

As shown in Fig. 5, when the first pan strap |2| in the file engages the master stop |0|, it is intercepted by the master stop and. further, rotates the master stop into its fully extended, or second operative, position, the conveyor elements 25 thereafter sliding under the first pan strap. The rotational movement of the master stop .|0| occasioned by the pan strap |2| intercepted thereby is communicated to the first slave stop |04 in the slave-stop sequence |04, |01, lll, etc., assuming, of course, that the selector |3| is in its operative position so as to engage the element |15 with the pin |11. The angle through which the master stop |0I rotates under such conditions is such that the actuating means |54 connecting the first slave stop |04 in the sequence under consideration to the master stop rotates the first slave stop |04 from its retracted position to its partially extended position. Becausel of the lost-motion connection between the pin |9| and the element |92 on the link |91 leading to the next slave stop |01, the slave stop |01 remains in its retracted position. Consequently, the second pan strap |2| in the file passes over all of the slave stops until it reaches the slave stop |04, whereupon it is intercepted by the slave stop |04 and, further. rotates the slave stop |04 from its partially extended position to its fully extended position to rotate the next slave stop |01 in the sequence from its inoperative position to its partially extended position, such rotation of the slave stop |04 to its fully extended position having no effect on -the master stop |0| because of the lost-motion connection between the element |15 and the IVpin |11. In a similar manner, the slave stop- |01 intercepts the third pan strap |2| in the file and simultaneously moves the slave stop into its partially extended position so as to intercept the fourth pan strap, and so forth.

Thus, it will be apparent that the master stop |0|, upon intercepting a pan strap, activates the first slave stop |04 in the sequence, whereupon the slave stop |04 intercepts the second pan strap in the file, and in turn, activates the slave stop |01, and so forth. This procedure is repeated until pan straps |2| have been intercepted by the master stop |0| and by all of the slave stops in the slave-stop sequence |04, |01, etc.

When the selector |32 is moved to its operative position to activate the slave-stop sequence |03. |06, |09, etc., the operation is substantially identical, except that a larger number of pan straps will be intercepted because of the closer spacing of the stops. Similarly, when the selector |33 is moved to its operative position, the slave-stop sequence |02, |05, |08, etc., will operate in substantially the same manner except that it will intercept a still larger number of pan straps because of the still closer spacing.

As best shown in Fig. 4, a lever 204 carrying a switch means 205 is pivotally connected to the frame 2| at 206 adjacent the upstream end of the path of the pan straps transported by the conveyor 24. Pivotally connected to the lever 204 is a link 201 which is pivotally connected to the last slave stop in each of the slave-stop sequences by one of the lost-motion slave pivot means |1|. In other words, the link 201 is pivotally connected to the slave stops ||1 and I8 by two of the lost-motion slave pivot means |1| identical to those hereinbefore described, the slave stop ||1 being the last in the sequences |04, |01, etc., and |03, |00. |09, etc., and the slave stop ||8 being the last in sequence |02, |05, |08, etc. Consequently, whenever the last slave stop in any one of the three sequences is rotated into its fully extended position upon interception of a pan strap thereby, it, acting through the link 201, rotates the switch means 205 into an operative position, not shown, from the inoperative position shown in Fig. 4 of the drawings. The switch means 205 includes two switches 208 and 209, such as mercury switches, for example, which are illustrated in diagrammatic form in Fig. 9 of the drawings and the functions of which will be described hereinafter.

After the pan straps of a le being transported by the conveyor 24 have been spaced apart in the manner hereinbefore discussed, they may be transferred laterally into a traveling oven, not shown, operating at right angles to the conveyor 24, or onto any other conveyor, not shown, operating at right angles to the conveyor 24. Referring particularly to Figs. 1 and 8 of the drawings, illustrated therein is a transfer means 2 I5 which may be employed to transfer the spaced pan straps laterally from the conveyor 24 along a lateral platform 2|6 leading to a traveling oven, or other apparatus. The transfer means 2|5 is illustrated as including a sweep bar 2|1 which is carried by arms 2|8 at its ends. each arm 2 |8 being provided with rollers 2|9 and 220. Guides or tracks 22| and 222 are carried by the frame 2| at either end of the sweep bar 2|1, the roller 2|9 on each arm 2|8 being adapted to move back and forth along the corresponding track 22| and the roller 220 on each arm being adapted to move alternately on the corresponding track 22| and the corresponding track 222. Downwardly biased track switches 223 at one end of the tracks 222 serve to switch the rollers 220 onto the tracks 222 when they reach the corresponding end of the tracks 22|. More particularly, assuming that the rollers 2|!! and 220 on the arms 2|8 are on the tracks 22|, and that the arms are being moved toward the right, as viewed in Fig. 8 of the drawings,when the rollers 220 reach the right end of the tracks 22|, they pass under the track switches 223, which then move downwardly so that. as the rollers 220 move toward the left, as viewed in Fig. 8, they move upwardly onto the upper tracks 222. When the rollers 220 reach the left end of the .upper tracks 222, as viewed in Fig. 8, they drop down onto the lower tracks 22| again and then remain on the lower tracks during movement to the right, as viewed in Fig. 8, upwardly biased track switches 224 being provided to ease the rollers 220 downwardly onto the lower tracks.

Thus, as willbe apparent, with the pattern of movement described above, the sweep bar 2|'l follows the path designated by the arrowed broken line 225, the sweep bar acting totransferspaced pan straps laterally from the conveyor 24 during movement thereof along the lower leg of the path, and returning above any pan .straps on the conveyor 24 during its return movement along the upper leg of its path.

The sweep bar 2|`| is driven by chains 230 respectively disposed at vthe ends thereof and respectively connected to the arms 2| 8 supporting the sweep bar by links 23| the links being pivotally connected to the arms 2|8 and Vto the chains 230 so that the rollers 2|9 and 220 carried by each arm mayv follow the pattern of movement discussed above. Each of the chains 230 is trained around sprockets 232 .and 233 respectively mounted on shafts 234 and 235 carried by suitable bearings on the frame 2|. As besty shown in Fig. l, the shafts 234 carry additional sprockets 236 which are driven from sprockets 23`|on a countershaft 238 through chains 239. The countershaft 238 is driven by an electric transfer drive motor 240 through a chain 24|" trained around a sprocket 242 (Fig. 2) on the countershaft and a sprocket 243 on themotor shaft.

As shown in Fig. 9, the hereinbefore described switch 209 of the switch means 205, which is actuable by the last slave stop in each slave-stop sequence, is connected in series withthe transfer drive motor `240, the switch 209 being normally open, i. e., being open as long as the switch means 205 is in the inoperative position shown in Fig. 4. Similarly, the switch 208 is connected in series with the conveyor drive .motor 36. the switch 208 being normally closed, i. e., being closed when the switch means 205 is in the inoperative position shown in Fig. 4. Connected in parallel with the switch 209 is a limit switch 245 which is self closing, but which is adapted to be held open by one of the arms 2|8 carrying the sweepbar 2|'| when the sweep bar reaches a rest position, shown in phantom in Fig. 8 of`- the drawings.

Considering the over-all operation of the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figs. l to 9 of the drawings, it will be assumed that the switches 208, 209 and 245 are in the positions shown in Fig. 9. Under such conditions the conveyor drive motor 36 is energized to drive the conveyor, 24, but the transfer drive motor 240 is de-energized with the sweep bar 2I`| in its rest position.

Now assume that a file of pan straps is delivered to the inlet end of the conveyor 24 in any suitable manner, as by another conveyor, not shown. Also assume that the selector |3|, |32 or |334 corresponding to the length of the pan straps being delivered to the conveyor 24 has been moved to its operative position, thereby activating the corresponding slave-stop sequence. For example, assume that pan straps of the predetermined maximum length are being trans-Y ported by the conveyor 24, which means that the selector |3| for activating the slave-stop sequence |04, |01, etc., is in its operative position.

As hereinbefore discussed in more detail, the first pan strap in the le transported by the conveyor '24 passes over all of the slave stops and is intercepted by the master stop I|. Under the conditions outlined above, the master stop, in being moved from its partially extended position to its fully extended position by the pan strap intercepted thereby, moves the first slave stop |04 in the slave-stop sequence in operation into its partially extended position to intercept the second pan strap, this process being repeated until all of the slave stops in the sequence in operation have intercepted pan straps. When the last slave stop in the sequence in operation intercepts a. pan strap, it is also rotated from its partially extended position to its fully extended position, and, as this occurs, the slave stop Ill acts through the link 201 to move the switch means 205 to its operative position, thereupon opening the switch 208 to de-energize the conveyor drive motor 36 and closing the switch 209 to energize the transfer drive. motor 240. De-energizing the conveyor drive motor 36 interrupts delivery of pan straps to the spacing apparatus, while energization of the transfer drive motor 240 causes the sweep bar 2|`| to transfer the spaced pan straps laterally from the conveyor 24. As soon as the sweep bar 2|1 has transferred the spaced pan straps from the conveyor 24, the slave stops in operation fall back into their retracted positions because of the action of their weights |40 thereon, and the master stop |0| falls into its partially extended position of the action of its weight |40. As will be apparent, when the slave stop falls back ,into its retracted position, it returns the switch means 205 to its inoperative position, thereby closing the switch 208 and opening the switch 209. Such closure of the switch 208 re-energizes the conveyor drive motor 35 to deliver additional pan straps to the article spacing apparatus, whereupon the foregoing sequence of events is repeated. Because of the presence of the switch 245 in the circuit of the transfer drive motor 240 opening of the switch 299 does not result in immediate de-energization of the transfer drive motor 240, the latter remaining energized until it has returned the sweep bar 2|'| to its rest position, whereupon the limit switch 245 is opened to de-energize the transfer drive motor. The transfer drive motor remains de-energized until such time as pan straps have been intercepted by the master stop |0| and by all of the slave stops in the sequence in operation, whereupon the foregoing cycle of events is repeated in its entirety.

Referring now to Figs. l0 and 11 of the drawings, the embodiment illustrated therein is similar to that illustrated in Figs. l to 9, the only differences being in the actuating means for activating the slave stops of the slave-stop sequence selected for operation, and in the selector means for selectively operating the various slave-stop sequences. Accordingly, identical reference numerals are employed to designate corresponding. components in both embodiments.

10 of the drawings is similar to Fig. 4 in that it shows the master stop |0| and the first two slave stops |04 and |07 of the slave-stop sequence fihi, |01, etc. As in the embodiment previously described, the slave-stop sequences |03, |05, E09, etc., and |02, |05, |03, etc., are similar to the sequence |94, |01, etc., and will not be `described in detail.

Respectvely associated with the master stop |0| and theslave stops |02, |03, |04, etc., in the embodiment Apresently under consideration are switches 25|, 252, 263, 264, etc., and respectively associated with the slave stops |02, |03, |04, etc., are solenoids 232, 283, 204, etc., all such switches and solenoids being shown in Fig. l1 and those switches and solenoids associated with the master stop .iet and the slave steps les and |07 of the intercepted thereby. Each of the slave stops |02 to ||8 is provided with a similar arm which is engageable by the corresponding solenoid and which is engageable with the corresponding switch, such arms associated with the slave Stops |04 and |01 shown in Fig. 10 being identied by the numerals 304 and 301, respectively. As will be apparent, when the solenoid 284 associated with the slave stop |04 is energized, its acts on the arm 304 to move the slave stop |04 from its retracted position to its partially extended position, the same being true of the solenoids associated with the other slave stops. Upon movement of the slave stop |04, for example, from its partially extended position to its fully extended position by a pan strap intercepted thereby, the arm 304 connected to the slave stop |04 engages the corresponding switch 264, as shown in Fig. 10, and closes such switch, the same relation obtaining between all of the slave stops and the switches corresponding thereto. Thus, as the master stop is moved to its fully extended position, it closes the switch 26| associated therewith, and as each of the slave stops |02 to ||8 is moved to its fully extended position, it closes the switch associated therewith, movement of the slave stops to their partially extended positions being accomplished by the solenoids 282, 283, 284, etc.

Referring to Fig. 1l, the embodiment presently under consideration includes a selector means 3|0 for selectively operating the three slave-stop sequences, the selector means comprising three selector switches 3||, 3|2 and 3|3 connected in parallel with each other and connected in series with the switch 26| associated with the master stop |0|. The selector switches 3| 3|2 and 3|3 are, in turn, connected in series with the solenoids 282, 283 and 284, respectively, these three solenoids being adapted to actuate the slave stops |02, |03 and |04, respectively, to move them from their retracted positions to their partially extended positions. The remaining switches 262, 263, 264, etc., are respectively connected in series with the solenoids 285, 286, 281, etc., for actuating the slave stops |05, |06, |01, etc., to move them from their retracted positions to their partially extended positions.

Considering the operation of the embodiment illustrated in Figs. and l1, it will be assumed that the slave-stop sequence |04, |01, etc., is to be operated. In order to place this sequence in operation, it is merely necessary to close the selector switch 3| in series with the solenoid 284 associated with the rst slave stop |04 in this sequence. Under these conditions, when the rst pan strap in a file being transported by the conveyor 24 engages the master stop |0| and moves it from its partially extended position to its fully extended position, the arm 30| connected to the master stop closes the switch 26 Closure of this switch results in energization of the solenoid 284 associatedfwith the first slave stop |04 in the desired sequence, the solenoids 282 and 283 associated with the slave stops |02 and |03 being unaffected because of the presence of the open switches 3|2 and 3|3 in their respective circuits. When the solenoid 284 is energized in this manner, it moves the first slave stop |04 in the desired sequence into its partially extended position so as to render the slave stop |04 operative to intercept the second pan strap in the file being transported by the conveyor 24. Subsequently, the second pan strap in the file engages the slave stop |04 and moves this slave stop to its fully extended position, thereby closing the switch 264 so as to energize the solenoid 281 associated with the second slave stop |01 of the sequence in operation. The solenoid 281 then moves the second slave stop |01 in the sequence into its partially extended position so that it will intercept the third pan strap in the le being transported by the conveyor 24. When the slave stop |01 intercepts the third pan strap in the le, it is moved into its fully extended position to close the switch 261, which then energizes the solenoid 29| for moving the slave stop to its partially extended position. This process is continued until the master stop |0| and all of the slave stops in the sequence |04, |01, etc., have intercepted pan straps.

As will be apparent, upon closure of the selector switch 3|2, the slave-stop sequence |03, |06, |08, etc., is placed in operation, and, upon closure of the selector switch 3|3, the slave-stop sequence |02, |05, |08, etc., is placed in operation. Thus, any one of the three slave-stop sequences illustrated may be placed in operation merely by closing the corresponding one of the selector switches 3| 3|2 and 3|3.

As in the embodiment previously described, the embodiment of Figs. 10 and ll includes the switch means 205 which is movable from its inoperative position to its operative position by the link 201, the latter being pivotally connected to the last slave stop in each sequence by one of the slave pivot means |1| as hereinbefore described. In other words, the link 201 controlling the switch means 205 is pivotally connected to the slave stops ||1 and ||8 by two of the slave pivot means |1| in the particular construction illustrated. The switches 208 and 200 or the switch means 205 together with the switch 245, control the motors 36 and 240 in the manner hereinbefore described. 1

Thus, the present invention provides an apparatus for automatically and accurately spacing apart articles being transported by a conveyor so that the spaced articles may be transferred laterally from the path of the conveyor in spaced relation, or may be otherwise handled. It will be understood that although a spacing 'apparatus having three slave-stop sequences has been disclosed, the number of such sequences may be increased or decreased as required, depending upon the number of article sizes to be handled thereby. Also, the number of slave stops in each sequence may be increased or decreased as desired.

Although two exemplary embodiments of the invention have been illustrated herein. it will be understood that various' changes, modifications and substitutions may be incorporated in such embodiments without departing from the spirit .of the invention.

4'af-plurality of sequences of s'lavefs'topscar-ried Vby said supporting structure.'said slave stops @of each of saidV sequences being spaced apart along said path upstrea-m from :said master lstop and normally'being inoperative to intercept articles being transported along-said'- path ;y a pluralityof series of actuating means respectively co1'- responding to said sequences of slave stops, said actuating means of each of said series being respectively connected to-said slavestops "of the correspondingone-of 'said sequences tofrender said slave stops of 'said corresponding sequence operative to intercept articles being transported "by said conveyor means, the rstiactuating means in each of said series being operatively connectible to said master stop' and bein'goperable by said master stopupon interception thereby' of an article being transported so as to render op- "erative the rst slave stop 'in the' corresponding oneof said sequences; and the second and subsequent actuating means in eaehof/said series respectively being operatively"connectedl to the rst and subsequent slave'A stops Ain the" corresponding one of saidsequences and "respectively v'being operable by the first and subsequent slave stops in the correspondingv one ofsaid sequences upon interception thereby of articles being trans- 'portedV so as to respectively render operative combination of: a supporting structure providing a lpath having upstream land downstream ends;

conveyor means carried by "and `movab1e "relative to said supporting structurefoi" transporting" successive articles alongsaid pathtoward said downstream end thereof; conveyor drive means carried by said supporting structure for driving said conveyor means; a movable master stop carried by said supporting structure adjacent said downf stream end of said path and disposed in said path for intercepting an article being transported by said conveyor means, said master stop being movable from a rst operative position to a second operative position by an article intercepted thereby; a plurality of sequences of movable slave stops carried by said supporting structure, said slave stops of each of said sequences being spaced apart along said path upstream from said master stop, each of said slave stops being movable from an inoperative position through a first operative position to a second operative position, said slave stops being inoperative to intercept articles being transported by said conveyor means when in their inoperative positions, but being disposed in said path when in their rst operative positions so as to intercept articles being transported by said conveyor means, and said slave stops being movable from their first operative positions to their second operative positions -by articles intercepted thereby; a plurality of series of actuating means respectively corresponding to said sequences of slave stops, said actuating means of each of said series being respectively connected to said slave stops of the corresponding one of said sequences to move said slave stops of said corresponding sequence from their inoperative positions to their Arst operative positions to intercept articles being transported by said conveyor means, the rst actuating meansin each of said series being operatively connectible to said master stop and being operable by said master stop upon interception V'thereby of an` articlel being transported by said conveyor means so-.asto

move the first slave stop in the corresponding one of said sequences from its inoperative posi- -t'ion toits first operative` position, and the secvond'y and subsequent actuating meansin each of slaid'series respectivelyY being operatively con- -nected to theV rst and subsequent slave stops in thecorresponding one of said sequences and so as to' respectively move the second and subl5` sequent slave stops in the corresponding oneof i said sequences from their-inoperativepositions -to their-'first operative positions;v and selector means for operatively connecting anyone of ysaid iirst actuating means to said master stop.

apparatus as defined in claim 2where f in 'each of rsaid actuating means comprises link *means having a lost-motion connection to' one fof--lthefstops to which such actuating means is connected.

4.An apparatus as dened in claim 2 wherein said master stop is provided with anelement engageable with an element of any one of said A`r-iirst actuating means, said selector means including means for engaging said element of any oneof said first actuating means with said element- -of -said master stop.

' 5.*'Inan apparatus for. spacing articles, the

combination of: a supporting structure providing a. path having upstreamv and downstreamends; conveyor means carried by and movable relative H-tcrsaid supporting structure for transporting suc- 'cessive articles along said path toward said `downfstream end thereof; conveyor drive means carried by said supporting structure for driving said conveyor means; a master stop pivotally connected to said supporting structure adjacent said downstream end of said path, said master stop being vpivotable from a first operative position, wherein 'it is disposed in said path to intercept an article being transported by said conveyor means, to a second operative position; at least one slave stop pivotally connected to said supporting structure y upstream from said master stop, said slave stop being pivotable from an inoperative position, wherein it is out of said path, through a first operative position, wherein it is disposed in said path to intercept an article being transported by said conveyor means, to a second operative position; llost-motion link means pivotally connecting said slave stop to said master stop for pivoting said fslave stop from its inoperative position to its rst operative position upon pivotal movement of said master stop from its first operative position to its second operative position by an article interepted thereby, said link means including a link extending between said master and slave stops substantially parallel to said path and pivotally [connected at its upstream end to said slave stop,

' said link means including master pivot means pivotally connecting the downstream end of said link Nto said master stop, said master pivot means including an element carried by said master stop and an element carried by said link, said elements being disengageable to disconnect said slave stop Yfrom said master stop; and means for disen- 1 gaging said elements.

6. An apparatus according to claim 5 -wherel fin one of said elements is a pin and the other of v`said elements is provided with an elongated slot Vtherein for said pin to provide a lost-motion con- 15 nection between said elements, said slot bein?,r open on one side to permit disengagement of said elements.

7. In an apparatus for spacing articles, the

combination of a supporting structure provid-- ing a path having upstream and downstreamv ends; a conveyor carried by said supporting structure and movable along said path toward said downstream end thereof for transporting articles in sequence along said path toward said downstream end thereof; at least two spacing means each including atleast two spacing elements spaced apart along said path, said spacing means being carried by said supporting structure; and selector means carried by said supporting structure and operatively connected to said spacing means for activating any one of said spacing means.

9. In an apparatus for spacing articles, the combination of: a supporting structure providing a path having upstream and downstream ends; a conveyor carried by said supporting structure and movable along said path toward said downstream end thereof for transporting articles in sequence along said path vtoward said downstream end thereof; at least two groups of spacing elements carried by said supporting structure, at least some of the spacing elements of each group being movable between extended positions wherein they are disposed in said path and retracted positions wherein they are disposed out of said path; actuating means connecting said spacing elements of each group for extending said spacing elements into said path insequence; and selector means operatively connected to said actuating means for activating any one of said actuating means.

10. In an apparatus for spacing articles.' the combination of a supporting structure providing a path having upstream and downstream ends; a conveyor carried by said supporting structure and movable along said path toward said downstream end thereof for ltransporting articles in sequence along said path toward said downstream end thereof; at least two groups of stops carried by said supporting structure, the stops of each of said groups" being spaced apart along said path and each group having at least one stop which is movable between a retracted position and an extended position wherein it is disposed in said path; actuating means carried by said supporting structure and operatively connected to the movable stops of each group for extending the movable stops of each'group in sequence; and selector means carried by said supporting structure and engageable with said actuating means for activating any one of said actuating means.

' HIRAM E. TEMPLE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

. UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,642,992 Fuller Sept. 20, 1927 2,467,113 Deiters Apr. 12, 1949 2,549,341 Sperling Apr. 17, 1951 

